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Pictured are, from left, Kayla Vanderlaan, Gator Bowl; Danielle Loudermilk, principal at Hilliard Elementary; Whitney Jones, assistant principal at Hilliard Elementary; Gil Langley, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; Katie Cox, Gator Bowl; Maurie Dugger, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Susan Evans, First Coast Blessings in a Backpack. Submitted photo

Pictured are, from left, Kayla Vanderlaan, Gator Bowl; Danielle Loudermilk, principal at Hilliard Elementary; Whitney Jones, assistant principal at Hilliard Elementary; Gil Langley, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; Katie Cox, Gator Bowl; Maurie Dugger, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Susan Evans, First Coast Blessings in a Backpack. Submitted photo

Nassau children benefit from AICVB program

News Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council, the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and the First Coast Blessings in a Backpack joined together Feb.
The Fernandina Beach High School Sailors of Swing with director Tyler Odom. Submitted photo

The Fernandina Beach High School Sailors of Swing with director Tyler Odom. Submitted photo

The Mighty Marching Pirates take top honors

News Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Fernandina Beach High School jazz band, Sailors of Swing, participated in the District Jazz MPA (Music Performance Assessment) at First Coast High School in Jacksonville and earned an overall superior rating.

Atlantic Rec Center preschool to close

News Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Fernandina Beach Parks and Recreation Director Catherine Vorrasi said that while the current term will be the last for Amelia Preschool at the Atlantic Rec Center, the closure will allow her department to impact more children with new programs.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weighed in on the debate surrounding red snapper regulations from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, voicing its displeasure with suggested time-area closures for the snapper-grouper fishery. File photo

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weighed in on the debate surrounding red snapper regulations from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, voicing its displeasure with suggested time-area closures for the snapper-grouper fishery. File photo

FWC backs resistance to red snapper closures

Holly Dorman
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weighed in on the debate surrounding red snapper regulations from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, voicing its displeasure with suggested time-area closures for the snapper-grouper fishery.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission directed staff to raise the earnings for alligator trappers in the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at its February meeting. File photo

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission directed staff to raise the earnings for alligator trappers in the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at its February meeting. File photo

Alligator trappers get a raise

Holly Dorman
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission directed staff to raise the earnings for alligator trappers in the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at its February meeting.
Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor David Sturges led action that removed Dale Martin from his position as city manager. “A lot of people have supported me,” Sturges said. “I feel we, as a commission, are going in a different direction and I feel fresh eyes for our city is important. His lack of communication and willingness to work with all the city commissioners was not evident. The mismanagement of what I consider to be sensitive personal matters was an overall theme.” Photo by Julia Roberts

Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor David Sturges led action that removed Dale Martin from his position as city manager. “A lot of people have supported me,” Sturges said. “I feel we, as a commission, are going in a different direction and I feel fresh eyes for our city is important. His lack of communication and willingness to work with all the city commissioners was not evident. The mismanagement of what I consider to be sensitive personal matters was an overall theme.” Photo by Julia Roberts

Martin out as city manager; former police chief takes the helm of city government

Julia Roberts
Thursday, February 23, 2023
In a process that took only two weeks, the Fernandina Beach City Commission terminated City Manager Dale Martin in a split vote. Vice Mayor David Sturges made a motion to terminate Martin’s employment with the city at the Feb. 7 meeting.
Submitted photo courtesy of Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute under NOAA permit #24359.

Submitted photo courtesy of Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute under NOAA permit #24359.

ASA joins FWC in push back

Holly Dorman
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
In the first of two days of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meetings, the America Sportfishing Association said it is “looking forward to coordinating on legislation of shared interest” with FWC, including pushing back against a proposed rule to restrict vessel speeds in federal...

Kessler lawyers file appeal

Holly Dorman
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Convicted murderer Kimberly Kessler’s attorneys have appealed to a higher court to have her conviction thrown out. Kessler — convicted of salon coworker Joleen Cummings’ murder in 2018 — underwent three different evaluations examining her mental competency during the trial process.
This beach walkover on South Fletcher Avenue is one of more than 40 built and maintained by the city of Fernandina Beach, which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to construct and maintain. City Commissioner Darron Ayscue said he has reached out to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners to ask that money from the Municipal Services Taxing Unit, designed to pay for beach renourishment efforts, could be used to help maintain the walkovers.

This beach walkover on South Fletcher Avenue is one of more than 40 built and maintained by the city of Fernandina Beach, which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to construct and maintain. City Commissioner Darron Ayscue said he has reached out to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners to ask that money from the Municipal Services Taxing Unit, designed to pay for beach renourishment efforts, could be used to help maintain the walkovers.

City Commissioner hopes streetlight efforts will lead to city-county cooperation on MSTU

News Staff
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
At a recent city commission workshop, freshman Fernandina Beach City Commissioner Darron Ayscue said he had met with Nassau County Commissioner John Martin and felt hopeful discussions regarding some streetlights on a county road that runs through city property can be an olive branch of sorts,...